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Hello Everyone. A newbie here.....putting my 2 cents in. I am looking forward to getting together with other POZ folks. Just waitin' to read where/when!my 2 cents on recent suggestions but will travel to anywhere.

1. Russian River/SF: Best of two worlds. When I dream of places I'd like to go, it always includes a natural setting.....just like what I've read about Russian River. Locations like RR soothe the soul and yet offer the stimuli of SF nearby.2. Vegas: The Hoover Dam/Grand Canyon stuff is interesting........the noise, hustle and glitz of Vegas is something I'd tolerate to be with the group.3. Cruise: San Diego is a very nice choice, easy to get around, and certainly a great port to book a cruise. I question wheather it's cost prohibitive for some folks however, once you tack on all the other hidden costs associated. Besides the flights, there's hotel rooms day before departure/day of arrival to consider. Tipping required--which is tacked on to final billing at end of cruise. Well, all I am trying to point out here is that I have been on three cruises in the past and it's always more $$ than it appears at the initial booking, aside from personal spending preffences. But if a cruise is selected, I'm going!

I still have Vegas on my list of AMG sites. Especially Downtown, with the older hotels, the environment is much more laid back. One hotel we've stayed in several times is very inexpensive, decent, and about a few 100 feet from the bus terminal. The buses in Vegas are nice and their mass transit system has won awards. There are SO many day trips to Lake Meade, Hoover Dam, Mount Charleston, Valley of Fire, and just the desert in general. Besides, we can go to the Liberace Museum!

Somewhere in the SF areas would be great, too. It's a place I'd love to visit, although I don't know much about it.

Another good choice might be somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, either in the US or in CA.

One thing we need to consider is the time of year and the weather at the chosen location. Vegas is very hot in August, etc.

Dan J.

A cruise is a great idea, but with the cost of a plane ticket and the cost of the cruise that may not be possible for those of us on limited incomes. I like the idea of a cruise since I have never been on one before.

I really don't care where the gathering is. I just want to be able to be with the people I care about, see a city or experience something I wouldn't normaly get to do.

A cruise is probably the most cost efficient vacation there is. For example, the four night cruise breaks out to $87.50 per day for accommodations, and all meals. Not just your basic breakfast, lunch, and dinner...but also midnight buffets, room service 24 hours a day, and just about any other in between meal you can think of. You want lobster you can have it. Hell, you want two lobsters, go for it. And at no extra cost. It also includes your entertainment. Plus you get to visit 2-3 different ports of call.

What it doesn't include would be your alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, gambling, souvenirs and things of that nature. I don't know where else you can have your accomodations and all your meals for less than $100 a day.

I must admit the cruise idea sounds like fun. I've never been on one either (this from a former travel agent) but it does sound like a great way to spend time with our friends here. hmmmm... you got me thinking.

and that, Jan, is why I depend you other and others here to get me through life.

You see, I forgot. I too am prone to sea-sickness. Last time I took the ferry from SF to Sausalito (all of 30 minutes) I spent the time in the head. I lived in SF for 20 years. Some good friends of mine had a bad-ass sail boat and every year they asked me to go sailing with them to the Farallon Islands 27 miles off the coast. Just thinking about it gives me the heaves.

I can certainly understand your concerns regarding sea sickness. However, there's a major difference between a ferry, sailboats, and a 90,000 gross tonnage ship with stabilizors. On a ship of this magnitude, you hardly even notice when the ship is moving.

The limited comment I find odd. I find 24 hour dining in a variety of establishments, top notch enterainment, being pampered from the moment you board, as well as other activities such as rock climbing walls anything but limited.

There's a reason why the cruise industry is the largest growing segment of the travel industry and also has the highest percentage of repeat guests.

Sure...I had the buttocks done both ways. I do not believe that BioAlcamid is the right choice. PMMA is the only thing that I would recommend. Completely restored and totally natural in look and feel.Send me an email and I can send you a link with pictures.

Thanks Iggy. I am in the biz, however, it's not a sales pitch. As a member of this site, and someone who has an interest in attending AMG08, am I not entitled to a vote in the location? Regardless of my career...when I'm on this site I'm nothing more than a member with an interest in attending AMG one day just as you. I threw the idea of a cruise out there during the planning stages of this years AMG. Why, because I know the value, as do most Americans and Europeans. Value is why cruises are the fastest growing segment of the industry. And it's because of value that I present it to the group as my personal recommendation, considering most of us are on a budget.

And I agree Hermie. RCI outweighs Carnival by far as service and food is concerned.

Travel is difficult for me because of the cost. I really appreciate the thought of a San Francisco/Russian River AMG. The Russian River is my home and San Francisco is so very close. I could attend this gathering.

Guerneville is small town America with a resort atmosphere. There is a sign at the city limits which reads "HATE STOPS HERE." That is the feeling that is generated as we walk through town. I would recommend booking cabins at the Dawn Ranch (formerly Fife's) or rooms and camp spaces at The Inn at the Willows. Both are right on the river and walking distance to everywhere.

Fife's reopened as The Dawn Ranch following the last flood. They no longer consider themselves as a gay resort, families with children are welcomed.

There is a rental place across the road from The Inn at the Willows where camping equipment can be rented. There is also several canoe rental and bicycle rental businesses in the area. Guerneville is so laid back, last year I was riding a horse down Main Street and it was like no big deal.

If the Russian River is selected for AMG, I would like to plan a social event. Have the best dayMichael

I'd can the cruise thing. I want to see people and places - not a floating hotel. I travel a lot and part of the pleasure are those conversations with local folks (or maybe even a hookup - gasp!), seeing the countryside and visiting the things locals are proud of having accomplished (vineyards) or just plain proud of (redwoods). People and places make it for me. I'll get on a boat for a half-day to look at seabirds (North Pacific is world auk headquarters!) or whales. so let's dock the Love Boat and get back to Russian River area. Speaking of that - I think costs could be controlled by settling in the Russian River and staying there - day trip to SF could be arranged. Picking the AMG up in mid-course and moving it is a waste of time and energy and some of our physically challenged folks might prefer not having to move themselves to another site after being settled at the first one.

A couple of lodging ideas on the Russian River include:Dawn Ranch Lodge (formerly Fife's) is within walking distance to everywhere in Guerneville. Their web site is www.fifes.com

Russian River Getaways rents vacation rental houses. Their web site is www.russianrivergetaways.com. One of my friends owns "Sanctuaire" which is a little off the beaten path but sleeps 6 for $275.00 per night. This is pretty much the going price for local vacation rentals. Have the best dayMichael

SFscruff

I guess everybody could stay with me if they promise not leave any dried toothpaste mints in the bathroom sink.

I'm a volunteer docent at the Botanical Gardens and the newly restored Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park and could arrange free tours of both places -- and be the docent.

The de Young art museum reopened last year in GG Park too, it's right between the Botanical Gardens and the Conservatory. The de Young has an admission fee and I don't have the key to the back door, so it will cost to get in. Although, I do know the head of the Restoration Dept. who owes me several favors....

The historic (we call them hysteric!) trolleys from the last century are a hoot too and they make runs from the Castro to the so-called Fisherman's Wharf along Market Street and the Embarcadero, which has also been renovated. I just heard a trolley ding-ding-ding by as I'm writing this, please let me pause for a silent Judy Garland moment.

---insert silent moment here--

There's a zillion things to do in S.F. and I've volunteered in various ASO's over the years, so if anybody is interested in going to some of them to talk shop and wants a connection, I'll be glad to make a few calls. And yes, I volunteered at SHANTI in the Activities Program for five years and was the artist who created the awards for their 25th Anniversary bash in City Hall.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot Civic Center -- the City Hall was completely renovated a few years ago, the Asian Art Museum is new and simply incredible and there's a new Main Branch of the Library with a Gay and Lesbian reading room and collection.

The Russian River is great for a bucolic interlude with wine country on all sides but the ocean. And COPIA in Napa opened up three years ago for the hardcore foodies.

With the BART system, it's pretty easy to get less expensive accommodations in the East Bay or parts of the Peninsula and then just hop on a train and whoosh! in The City. Public transportation is a dream and BART runs to SFO and the airport in that town with a tree in its name, what is it? Pineland, Beechland, Cedarland, ah, whatever its called.

Oh no, I'm feeling more like Julie the Cruise Director on the Love Boat than Judy Garland in Meet Me In St. Frisco.